Belgium study visit on drink-driving enforcement and alcohol interlocks 2024
A delegation with representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the National Police in Poland, as well as a representative of the Cyprus Police, accompanied by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), participated in a study visit focused on drink-driving enforcement and alcohol interlocks in Belgium on September 23-24, 2024.
The visit was hosted by the Belgian Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport and supported by the Vias Institute, the Belgium Federal Police, and Rauwers, as part of the EU Road Safety Exchange project.
The program began with an overview of the situation concerning driving under the influence in Belgium, presented by experts of the Vias Institute. Statistics on offenses, public attitudes toward drink-driving, and figures regarding enforcement were shared and compared to the data from Poland.
The Polish representatives gave an overview of their police force structure, with an in-depth explanation of how enforcement is planned and conducted. The presentation highlighted the increasing number of roadside checks for drink-driving and enforcement campaigns conducted by the police in Polish cities.
The focus of the exchange then shifted to the procedural aspects of drink and drug-driving enforcement in Belgium. The chief of Police in Aarschot provided an in-depth overview of the procedures for alcohol and drug control in traffic, including recent legislative developments and enforcement techniques.
For alcohol testing, the roadside breathalyzer check is evidential, while for drugs the procedure now includes the collection of a saliva sample, following a positive saliva test. In both cases, the lengthy process of doing a blood check is no longer necessary, making the process faster and more efficient. The presentation sparked discussions among the participants, who shared their ongoing efforts and challenges in this area.
Further presentations covered the legislative framework for alcohol interlocks, detailing how Belgium implements and monitors the use of these devices for high-risk offenders. Discussions highlighted the importance of supportive legislation and effective monitoring programs to ensure the success of such initiatives.
The day concluded with a presentation on “Driver Improvement” programs aimed at rehabilitating drivers previously caught by the police, including those driving under the influence. Experts shared insights into the effectiveness of these programs in reducing recidivism and improving road safety, demonstrating how these sessions are conducted in practice.
The second day continued at the headquarters of Rauwers, where representatives were introduced to some innovative technological solutions for monitoring and enforcing road safety, specifically focusing on the alcohol interlock system. The delegation observed a technical demonstration of the installation and functionality of alcohol interlock devices on vehicles.
The presentation also covered the AlcoTrack system, which provides real-time monitoring and data analysis to support enforcement agencies in their efforts to reduce driving under the influence incidents.
The study visit concluded with a reflection on key lessons learned and potential areas for further cooperation. Both delegations expressed their commitment to improve road safety in their respective countries.
A follow-up workshop is planned in Poland in December 2024, where experts will meet again to further work on the topics covered during the visit.
